Abby Huntsman addresses 'The View' exit: 'This has been a dream come true'

Abby Huntsman is celebrating her last day as a co-host on "The View" before leaving to help run her father's gubernatorial campaign, but before her departure she addressed the rumors surrounding her exit.

"People go nuts with rumors on this show and this week has been no exception, but I just want to be as clear as I possibly can," Huntsman said during her send off Friday. "This has been a dream come true. This has been an incredible job. And I do love everyone at this table."

Huntsman noted that showing up and discussing difficult topics every day is not easy.

"You guys see the ups and downs of all of our life. Meghan you see what she's been through in her life," she said. "You guys live it with us. It is not easy to come out here every day and be so open and honest and talk about the hardest topics of the day. I have so much respect for everyone at this table and for everyone at this show."

After two seasons on the daytime talk show, the co-host shared the news on Monday's episode and explained she is departing to help run her father Jon Huntsman Jr.’s campaign for governor of Utah.

"This is always a hard thing to do. … But today, I'm saying goodbye," she said. "I'm so thankful for this opportunity. But as you guys know, the number one priority is my family."

She continued: "There's no one I believe in more than my own dad to run for politics. It's going to be a fast race. June is the primary, and that's what matters. I couldn't be more excited to go help someone I love."

Following the news, CNN reported that Huntsman was leaving the show due to strained relations with fellow co-host, Meghan McCain and a "toxic work environment."

In Friday's send off, Huntsman added she was thankful for all the friends she's made at "The View."

"I just want to make it as clear as day, with everything that has been written about this place, that I am leaving so thankful for all the new friends that I have here, for all the friends I had before and will still have, and for the opportunity because this place has changed my life for the better," Huntsman said.

The co-host also shared her own special message to viewers with a self recorded video shared to the show's Twitter account.

Contributing: Sara Moniuszko

More: Abby Huntsman to leave 'The View' to help run father's campaign for governor of Utah

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'The View' co-host Abby Huntsman addresses rumors around exit